Traverso 18 - Mar del Plata

Traverso 18 isn’t deep, barely breaking 8m, but don't let that fool you. This is a proper wreck dive, right here off Mar del Plata, and it's one of our favourite quick hits in the area. The hull, a fishing vessel that went down decades ago, is starting to really break apart now. That's part of the fun, though; you can weave through the skeletal remains of the superstructure, feeling the cool water push past the exposed ribs of the ship. We often find ourselves just floating above the main deck, watching the schools of silversides dart in and out of the shadows. What makes Traverso 18 a standout for us is how accessible it is and the sheer amount of life that has moved in. Forget pristine coral; this is cold-water wreck diving at its best. Lobsters poke their antennae from beneath twisted metal plates, and we’ve spotted massive spider crabs scuttling across the deck. Keep an eye out for the small nudibranchs too, bright splashes of colour against the rusted steel. It’s an ideal spot for a leisurely dive, especially when the conditions are calm, offering a fascinating peek into the ocean's reclamation of man-made structures. We love it for its raw, rugged charm.

Location
Mar del Plata, Argentina, South America
Coordinates
-34.781483, -57.848350
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
8m

Best Time to Dive in Mar del Plata

The warmest water temperatures in Mar del Plata occur in January, averaging 26.7°C. The coolest conditions are in July at 11.0°C.

Monthly Water Temperatures

  • January: 26.7°C
  • February: 25.8°C
  • March: 24.1°C
  • April: 20.3°C
  • May: 16.3°C
  • June: 13.0°C
  • July: 11.0°C
  • August: 12.2°C
  • September: 14.8°C
  • October: 18.2°C
  • November: 22.3°C
  • December: 24.8°C

Nearby Dive Sites in Mar del Plata

Nearest Dive Centres to Traverso 18

Marine Life in Mar del Plata

Home to 33 recorded species including 19 reef fish, 7 sharks & rays, 3 whales & dolphins, 2 other, 1 crabs & lobsters, 1 sea snails & nudibranchs.

Notable Species

Recommended Packing List for Traverso 18

Based on average water temperature of 19.1°C, currents 3 cm/s.

  • Wetsuit (3-5mm) - comfortable for 19°C water
  • Mask - essential for every dive
  • Fins
  • BCD - buoyancy compensator
  • Regulator - your most safety-critical piece of gear
  • Dive Computer - tracks depth, time, and NDL
  • Surface Marker Buoy (SMB) - essential for boat pickups
  • Dive Torch - useful for crevices and colour at depth
  • Underwater Camera - capture your diving memories